SIKORSKI’S ATTIC

Table leg carvings depict North Wind

This table with leaves likely sat 12 or more. (Courtesy of John Sikorski)

By John SikorskiColunmist

Published: Saturday, November 6, 2010 at 6:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, November 6, 2010 at 9:00 a.m.

Q: I own this beautiful 19th century hand carved, Italian walnut pedestal table that was passed down to my husband and me from his father. Its original owner, my husband’s great grandfather, was believed to have had the table commissioned in Ohio around 1855.

It has four chairs, but I was always of the opinion that they were not grand enough for the table. We would love to know what the appraised value might be and what tables like this go for at auction. It moves easily on casters that work perfect ly and is in very good condition.

D.O., Internet

A: Your table originally expanded to accommodate four to six additional leaves to enlarge the table probably enough to seat 12 or more. I assume you do not have the original leaves. The overall quality looks good. It was likely manufactured during the late 19th to early 20th centuries. The country of origin in this case does not have an effect on dollar value. It looks like the decorative figural applied carvings to the lower panels between the legs represent the North Wind. Carvings were produced in separate carving factories and then sold to furniture companies to be applied to tables, cabi nets, etc. Current potential dollar value is $600 to $1,200.

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Q: Attached are images showing a complete set of Walter Sanden Bolivian litho graphs. The prints are 8 inches by 10 inches with what looks like some paper aging discoloration, but no stains, and only a few sheets have a small tear at the outside edge. They have been in our family since 1970. Can you provide any information about the artist, as well as clues regarding the age and possible value of these prints?

R.P., Internet

A: I suggest you purchase acid-neutral archival sheets to place between the prints. Other than Walter Sanden being a German refugee and artist who fled Nazi Germa ny before World War II to Bolivia — a haven for Jews — there is very little information on him. His work portrayed landscapes and the native life of Bolivia as seen in your beautiful collection. Currently, there is no specific market interest in works by Walter Sanden and no secondary market, either. I predict this will change in the future as more information becomes available. Potential dollar value at this time is catch-as-catch-can.

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Q: My wife and I bought this punch bowl with under plate at an estate sale. The underplate is 22½ inches in diameter. We are interested in finding the approximate age and value. By the way, there are no cups. We would like to locate cups if you would know where to find them.

M.D., Internet

A: The punch bowl and underplate are pressed glass and likely were made in America during the first three decades of the 20th century. This type of glass generally sells at very affordable prices. In order to possibly discover what the pattern is and a source for the matching cups, contact Replacements Ltd. in Greensboro, N.C. The phone number is 1-800-REPLACE. Good luck.

OCALA SHIRT: John Sikorski is an Ocala antiques dealer. He hosts a call-in radio show, ‘’Sikorski’s Attic,’’ on WUFT-FM (89.1 FM). It can be heard each Saturday from noon to 1 p.m. Send your questions to Sikorski’s Attic, c/o The Ocala Star-Banner, 2121 S.W. 19th Ave. Road, Ocala, FL 34471-7752, or e-mail absantique@aol.com.

<p><b>Q:</b> I own this beautiful 19th century hand carved, Italian walnut pedestal table that was passed down to my husband and me from his father. Its original owner, my husband's great grandfather, was believed to have had the table commissioned in Ohio around 1855.</p><p>It has four chairs, but I was always of the opinion that they were not grand enough for the table. We would love to know what the appraised value might be and what tables like this go for at auction. It moves easily on casters that work perfect ly and is in very good condition.</p><p>D.O., Internet</p><p><b>A: </b>Your table originally expanded to accommodate four to six additional leaves to enlarge the table probably enough to seat 12 or more. I assume you do not have the original leaves. The overall quality looks good. It was likely manufactured during the late 19th to early 20th centuries. The country of origin in this case does not have an effect on dollar value. It looks like the decorative figural applied carvings to the lower panels between the legs represent the North Wind. Carvings were produced in separate carving factories and then sold to furniture companies to be applied to tables, cabi nets, etc. Current potential dollar value is $600 to $1,200.</p><p><center>***</center></p><p><b>Q: </b>Attached are images showing a complete set of Walter Sanden Bolivian litho graphs. The prints are 8 inches by 10 inches with what looks like some paper aging discoloration, but no stains, and only a few sheets have a small tear at the outside edge. They have been in our family since 1970. Can you provide any information about the artist, as well as clues regarding the age and possible value of these prints?</p><p>R.P., Internet</p><p><b>A:</b> I suggest you purchase acid-neutral archival sheets to place between the prints. Other than Walter Sanden being a German refugee and artist who fled Nazi Germa ny before World War II to Bolivia — a haven for Jews — there is very little information on him. His work portrayed landscapes and the native life of Bolivia as seen in your beautiful collection. Currently, there is no specific market interest in works by Walter Sanden and no secondary market, either. I predict this will change in the future as more information becomes available. Potential dollar value at this time is catch-as-catch-can.</p><p><center>***</center></p><p><b>Q: </b>My wife and I bought this punch bowl with under plate at an estate sale. The underplate is 22½ inches in diameter. We are interested in finding the approximate age and value. By the way, there are no cups. We would like to locate cups if you would know where to find them.</p><p>M.D., Internet</p><p><b>A:</b> The punch bowl and underplate are pressed glass and likely were made in America during the first three decades of the 20th century. This type of glass generally sells at very affordable prices. In order to possibly discover what the pattern is and a source for the matching cups, contact Replacements Ltd. in Greensboro, N.C. The phone number is 1-800-REPLACE. Good luck.</p><p> </p><p>OCALA SHIRT: John Sikorski is an Ocala antiques dealer. He hosts a call-in radio show, ''Sikorski's Attic,'' on WUFT-FM (89.1 FM). It can be heard each Saturday from noon to 1 p.m. Send your questions to Sikorski's Attic, c/o The Ocala Star-Banner, 2121 S.W. 19th Ave. Road, Ocala, FL 34471-7752, or e-mail absantique@aol.com.</p>